Due to Gas Mileage and not having overdrive which just plain annoys me....and because my existing auto tranny is starting to slip occasionally going into 3rd, i'm going to swap it out for a 700R4 on my 1982 T/A with a 305

I'm not going to do this myself as I don't have a garage or the time, but if someone can let me know what/if I need to replace at the same time to ensure proper working order.

Also- I know 100 different cars used that transmission, what do I need to know to ensure I pick one up which will work properly with my car? Thanks!

 

I switched my '82 to 700r many years ago;nearly a bolt-in swap,but you will need to get related parts from a donor thirdgen:tranny x-member,torque arm,driveshaft,shifter,etc. A thidgen t700 will work as is,but if one isn't handy,most other 700s will work if an f-body tail housing is swapped on-that is what I did with mine,used '85 caprice tranny with f-body tail.A couple new holes will need drilled and nuts inserted to mount the 700 x-member to '82 body.

 

And some means of controlling the lockup convertor (TCC ) of the T700

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/carb...c-control.html

 

Awesome, very helpful information! I know nothing about transmissions, except that the 700 is better than the one i have and that the later model T/A's had them starting in 84' i believe.

Any idea what a current shop rate would be for a swap like this in terms of labor and swap parts like you mentioned above? I'm doing a knight rider conversion, but I need to get this out of the way first and I also need to update my manual doors to power which worries me as well because i haven't been able to dig up any ideas. The less I have to spend on these things, the quicker I can get to the fun stuff

 

The only custom work is a wiring plug changeover for the TCC (if you still have the ECM controlling lock-up and the mentioned crossmember fitment mod. And maybe shifter.

Everything else is bolt-in. The TV cable for the TH200-C works for the 700-R4 and so will the flexplate. You need the 700-R4 torque arm and bracket and driveshaft.

So it shouldn't be a huge expense over a stock for stock R&R.

Find a place to park a parts car.

 

The 200R is an overdrive transmission. In fact, in many circles it's considered better than the 700R because of the split between the gears.

 

I guess I should have been more specific. I have the TH-200C (i think) not the 200R4. My transmission is a 3 speed auto. I would definitely consider putting in the 200R4 instead of the 700R4, if I can find a good one at a good price. Seems like doing a swap to a 200R4 is less labor and parts than the 700R4 swap would be, is that right?

 

You can weld an extesion onto your current trans mount to make it work with a 400r4, but need driveshaft, torque arm, and few other minor things.

shift will be needed as well too slong with a 83-84 shifter plate.

 

A 200R would be a direct swap in for yours. Almost nothing needed as they are physically the same size and have the same hook-ups.

 

Nope, that's not right.
Trans mount is at the rear and a lot of other changes, no torque arm mount.

 

My apologies. Sso they are more like the TH350 and TH400 than the newer 200R and 700R.

 

Is there then any differences in what needs to be replaced between a 200R4 and a 700R4? I'm just trying to find a reason to do one over the other. I know the 200 is weaker, but also smoother. I was told as long as I don't get a 82-83 200R4 it should be fine, but of course 700R4 is easier to find. So for me right now, I think whichever one is cheaper to get installed with anything else that needs to be changed will be the way I go. Does anyone have a definitive answer? If they are about the same, then I guess i'll just go with the cheapest one I can find, which i'm assuming will be the 700R4

 

The 200-4R uses the same driveshaft length as the 200-C.
The mount is farther back than the F-body 700-R4 (almost to the output shaft/ seal end)
It has no mount for the torque arm so that would have to go on the crossmember.
TV cable fits it the same.

I've used multiple 200-4Rs and multiple 700-R4s in the same car and prefer the 200-4R overall. But proper TV adjustment, a factory high-stall converter (or better) and good rear gears make the most out of a decent transmission. (whereas a low-stall, 2.56 gears and sluggish shift points could make a trans. seem less enjoyable to drive.)

As for getting the cheapest one you can . . . there is a difference between a good HO F-body 700-R4 and one from a highway geared caprice. So if you want great drivability, try and get a good one.